§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage change in the total value of textile and clothing imports into the United Kingdom between the first quarter of 1983 and the first quarter of 1982.
§ Mr. ChannonThirteen per cent. increase.
§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the economic effects of restraint on trade in textiles and clothing.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned a study of the implications for the United Kingdom economy of international trading policies736W on textiles and clothing. The study will examine the barriers faced by the United Kingdom industries' exports in other world markets, and will also look at the effect on the United Kingdom textile and clothing industries of restraints on low-cost imports.
The study will assist the Government in international discussions covering trade in this sector that will occur particularly during 1984.
In essence, the study has two aspects. First, the effects on United Kingdom exports of textiles and clothing of the many trade barriers maintained in other world markets. Secondly, the effects of restraint on imports of low-cost textiles into the United Kingdom including the effects on the industries themselves, on other industries and on the consumer.
The study is to be undertaken by Professor Aubrey Silberston of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London. Professor Silberston expects to complete and publish his work early in the autumn of 1984.
During that year there has to be a major review of the Multi-fibre Arrangement (MFA). Also in 1984 the GATT secretariat is expected to complete an examination of the impact of restraints of trade in textiles and clothing—an examination that was called for by the GATT Ministerial meeting in November 1982.
It is most important that the United Kingdom is as well placed and as well informed as possible for the discussions in the Community that will be necessary before and during the debates and examinations in the GATT.
I would stress, however, that Professor Silberston's study will in no way effect the rigorous implementation of the Community's bilateral arrangements concluded under the present MFA and the bilateral arrangements that exist for imports of textiles and clothing from other low-cost sources. These bilateral arrangments, for the most part, endure until the end of 1986.